Folding device with a first and second partial cylinder and method for operating such a folding device

ABSTRACT

A folding device includes a first partial cylinder and a second partial cylinder. These two partial cylinders form a cylinder body. The two partial cylinders are rotatable relative to each other and each partial cylinder includes first and second groups of functional elements distributed around the circumference of the partial cylinder. Each of the first and second partial cylinders is provided with its own dedicated drive motor to accomplish the rotational movement of each partial cylinder.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the U.S. National phase under 35 U.S.C. 371 ofPCT/DE03/00491, filed Feb. 18, 2003; published as WO 03/070612A1 on Aug.28, 2003 and claiming priority to DE 102 06 578.0, filed Feb. 18, 2002,the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a folding device with a first and asecond partial cylinder. The two partial cylinders, which togetherconstitute a body of a cylinder, are coaxially rotatable relative toeach other.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A folding device generally has a folding or a transport cylinder, whichhas a group of function elements, such as spur needle strips or sheetgrippers, for example, for holding paper to be processed against thecylinder. It also has, as a second group of function elements, a foldingblade which, working together with folding rollers or with a folding jawof a further cylinder, creates a fold in the paper conveyed on thefolding cylinder.

In order to be able to process paper of different formats, or to formdifferent folds, the function elements such as a folding cylinder, whichare used for holding the paper to be processed, and the folding blades,are mounted on different partial cylinders. These partial cylindershave, in respect to each other, a defined freedom of rotary movement inrelation to the shaft of the folding cylinder.

DE 197 55 428 A1 and DE 295 02 222 U1 both disclose folding cylinderswhich each have two cylinder bodies supporting folding mechanisms, whichtwo cylinder bodies can be rotated in relation to each other.

Later published EP 1 264 689 A2 and EP 1 260 474 A1 both describefolding devices with a first and a second partial cylinder, whichtogether constitute a body of the cylinder and are rotatable relative toeach other, other, and each one of which supports a first or secondgroup of function elements, which are distributed over the circumferenceof the cylinder, wherein its own drive motor for rotatory driving thepartial cylinder is assigned to each partial cylinder.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,057,064 describes a folding jaw cylinder driven by agear wheel. The two partial cylinders, which support folding jaws, aredriven by a different motor only for the purpose of displacing themrelative to each other in the circumferential direction.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,120,049 shows a multi-part bucket wheel, whose partshave different gear mechanisms.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is directed to providing a foldingdevice having a first and a second partial cylinder.

In accordance with the present invention, the object is attained by theprovision of a folding device with first and second partial cylinders,each of which has radial segments. The two partial cylinders constitutea body of a cylinder and are rotatable with respect to each other. Eachpartial cylinder supports one of first and second groups of functionelements. Each partial cylinder has its own electrical motor which, inits gear layout, is independent of other cylinders for the coaxialrotatory driving of its associated partial cylinder. The folding devicehas a driver circuit for driving the electrical motors at identicalspeeds and an adjustable relative phase position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is represented in thedrawings and will be described in greater detail in what follows.

Shown are in:

FIG. 1, a cross-sectional view through a cylinder and adjoining parts ofa material-processing machine in accordance with the present inventionand taken along line I-I of FIG. 2, in

FIG. 2, an end view of the cylinder in FIG. 1, in

FIG. 3, a first embodiment of a folding device, in

FIG. 4, a second embodiment of a folding device, in

FIG. 5, a third embodiment of a folding device, in

FIG. 6, a fourth embodiment of a folding device, in

FIG. 7, a folding device for accomplishing a transverse fold, in

FIG. 8, a side elevation view of a folding device in accordance withFIG. 7, in

FIG. 9, a folding device for accomplishing a transverse fold with a beltsystem, in

FIG. 10, a side elevation view of a folding device in accordance withFIG. 9, in

FIG. 11, a folding device for accomplishing a transverse fold with alinear fold, in

FIG. 12, a side elevation view of a folding device in accordance withFIG. 11, in

FIG. 13, a folding device for accomplishing a second transverse foldwith a linear fold, and in

FIG. 14, a side elevation view of a folding device in accordance withFIG. 13.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

An axial section through a cylinder, as well as portions of lateralplates of a frame of a machine into which the cylinder has been placed,are shown in FIG. 1. The axial section extends along the dash-dottedline identified by I-I in FIG. 2.

Two partial cylinders 01, 02, of which the body of the cylinderrepresented in FIG. 1 is composed, are depicted in FIG. 1 usingdifferent hatching, with these hatchings rising for the first partialcylinder 01 and descending for the second partial cylinder 02. A centralshaft 13 is part of the first partial cylinder 01. Central shaft 13 issupported at one or a first location, such as at the left in FIG. 1, bya bearing 14, for example by a rolling bearing 14, in a first lateralframe plate 16 of a folding device. The central shaft 13 can be drivenby a first drive motor 17, whose motor housing is fixedly connected withthe lateral frame plate 16 by the use of a flange 18. Two arms 19, whichare fastened on the central shaft 13, support a first cylinder segment21, which constitutes a portion of the circumferential surface of thecylinder and which first cylinder segment 21 supports a function elementof a first group, for example a holding element, and in particular astrip, which is not specifically represented, with spur needles, or atleast one gripper.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the first partial cylinder 01 has two pairs ofarms 19 and two first cylinder segments 21, which are locateddiametrically opposite each other. Of course, a larger number of firstcylinder segments 21 can be arranged, evenly distributed in thecircumferential direction.

The opposite or second end of the central shaft 13 is rotatably seated,with the aid of bearings 22, for example rolling bearings 22, in a cup23, which cup 23 is a part of the second partial cylinder 02, which cup23 is itself rotatably maintained in a second lateral frame plate 16 bya bearing 24, for example a rolling bearing 24. A driveshaft of a seconddrive motor 26, whose housing is fastened, in a manner similar to thatof the first drive motor 17, on the lateral frame plate 16 by a flange18, acts on the end or bottom of the cup 23.

Second cylinder segments 27 of the second partial cylinder 02 are eachsupported by two radial arms 28, 29, of which one arm 28 is secured toan open rim of the cup 23, and the other arm 29 is rotatably supportedat the central shaft 13 by the use of a bearing 31, for example arolling bearing 31. Each second cylinder segment supports a functionelement, which is not specifically represented, for example a foldingblade.

The two drive motors 17, 26 are connected with a common control circuit33 which, for example with the help of suitable rpm or angle sensorswhich may be arranged on the respective drive motors 17, 26, regulatesboth drive motors 17, 26 to run at identical rotational speeds, andtherefore to maintain a constant distance between the function elementson the first or second cylinder segments 21 or 27, respectively.

In accordance with a simple embodiment of the present invention, thecontrol circuit 33 is connected with two angle of rotation sensors thatare arranged on the drive motors 17 and 26, each of which angle ofrotation sensor provides a pulse to the control circuit 33 for eachangle of rotation unit of the respective drive motor 17 or 26 traveled.The control circuit 33 is laid out for detecting the phase difference ofthe pulse trains provided by the two sensors and for maintaining itconstant at a predetermined value, which predetermined value can beadjusted at the control circuit 33, and which predetermined valuecorresponds to a desired distance between the function elements on thetwo partial cylinders 01, 02.

In place of simple pulses, each of the sensors may provide binary-codeddata words in a fixed cyclic sequence. This makes it possible for thecontrol circuit 33 to detect a phase shift between two identical datawords from the two respective sensors and to keep it constant, even ifthe time difference is greater than the period at which the data wordsare delivered.

It is obvious that the present invention can be utilized with anyarbitrary type of function elements situated on the first and secondpartial cylinders 01, 02. The function elements on the first and secondpartial cylinders 01, 02 can be of different types, or also can be ofthe same type. They can be spur needles or spur needle strips, sheetgrippers, folding blades, folding jaws, ejectors, post-grippers, cuttingblades, and the like.

The cylinder which includes the first and second partial cylinders 01and 02 can be embodied in a folding device as a folding blade cylinder,as a folding jaw cylinder or as a collection cylinder, for example.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, as see in FIG. 3,the folding device has at least one cutting cylinder 35, a collectioncylinder 36 and a folding jaw cylinder 37. The collection cylinder 36has two partial cylinders 39, 40, which first and second partialcylinders 39, 40 can be displaced in relation to each other in thecircumferential direction. The first partial cylinder 39 is providedwith at least one folding blade as its function element, and the secondpartial cylinder 40 is provided with spur needles or grippers as itsfunction element. This collection cylinder 36 transfers signatures tothe folding jaw cylinder 37.

The folding jaw cylinder 37 is driven by its own electric motor 05 andis mechanically independently of other cylinders. The first partialcylinder 39 of the collection cylinder 36, which carries the foldingblade, is driven by another electric motor 04. The other or secondpartial cylinder 40 of the collection cylinder, and supporting the spurneedles or grippers, is driven by a further electric motor 03, whichelectric motor 03 also drives the cutting cylinder 35. A gear drive withseveral gear wheels is provided for this drive of the second partialcylinder 40 and the cutting cylinder 35. One gear wheel is connectedwith the second partial cylinder 40 supporting the spur needles orgrippers, a second gear wheel is connected with the cutting cylinder 35,and a third gear wheel is connected with the rotor of the electric motor03. For accomplishing driving of the cylinder and partial cylinders, theelectric motor 03, the cutting cylinder 35 and the partial cylinder 40of the collection cylinder 36 are connected by the gear wheels, whereindriving takes place from the cutting cylinder 35 to the collectioncylinder 36. The electric motor 03 assigned to the cutting cylinder 35and to the partial cylinder 40 of the collection cylinder 36 is arrangedon one side of the folding device, while the electric motors 04 assignedto the partial cylinder 39 supporting the folding blades of thecollection cylinder 36 and to the folding jaw cylinder 37 are arrangedon the opposite side of the folding device.

As represented in FIG. 4, in place of the gear wheel connection betweenthe cutting cylinder 35 and the partial cylinder 40 of the collectioncylinder 36, this partial cylinder 40 is, in the configuration, alsoprovided with its own electric motor 06. A transmission gear can bearranged between the cutting cylinder 35 and the electric motor 03, sothat the electric motor 03 can be arranged offset with respect to theaxis of the cutting cylinder 35.

It is also possible, as depicted in FIG. 5, to arrange the electricmotor 03 of the cutting cylinder 35 coaxially with respect to thecutting cylinder 35, as seen in FIG. 5. In this configuration the rotorof the electric motor 03 can be connected with the shaft of the cuttingcylinder 35 without a gear. Alternatively, an auxiliary gear, such as aplanetary gear can be arranged between cylinder 35 and motor 03.

As represented in FIG. 6, a further folding cylinder 38, which has firstand second partial cylinders 51, 52, is arranged between the collectioncylinder 36 and the folding jaw cylinder 37. The first partial cylinder51 of the further folding cylinder 36 has at least one folding blade,and the second partial cylinder 52 of the further folding cylinder 38has at least one folding jaw. In this embodiment, each one of the firstand second partial cylinders 51, 52 is driven by its own electric motor07, 08.

In embodiments with electric motors which are arranged concentricallywith respect to the axis of rotation of the associated cylinder orpartial cylinder, the rotor of the electric motor can be directlyconnected with the shaft of the cylinder. Alternatively, the motor canhave a auxiliary gear, for example a planetary gear.

In a further embodiment of the folding device, as depicted in FIGS. 7and 8, the folding device has at least one bucket wheel 41, which bucketwheel 41 is driven by its own electric motor 42. A belt system 44, asdepicted schematically in FIGS. 9 and 10, is provided for the deliveryfolded of products from the bucket wheel 41 and also has its ownelectric motor 46. A longitudinal folding arrangement 47, as shown inFIGS. 11 and 12, and which is optionally assigned to the folding device,is also driven by its own electric motor 53 independently of othercylinders, as can be seen in FIGS. 11 and 12. This longitudinal foldingarrangement 47 is employed for the formation of a subsequentlongitudinal fold, called a third fold or a delta fold, which subsequentlongitudinal fold takes place after the formation of the transversefold. The first longitudinal fold is provided by a longitudinal former,which is not specifically represented. The second, transverse fold ismade by a folding jaw cylinder 37 or 38, and the third fold by afurther, optional folding jaw cylinder 37 or 38. The third fold or thefourth fold is provided by a longitudinal folding blade.

Each cylinder of the folding device is driven by its own electric motor03, 04, 05, 06, 07, respectively which electric motor for each cylinderis, in its technical gear layout, independent of other cylinders.

In one embodiment of the present invention, at least one electric motorof the folding device is controlled as a function of a virtual guideshaft of the printing press, and at least one other electric motor iscontrolled as a function of this electric motor. For example, theelectric motor 03 of the cutting cylinder 35 is controlled by thevirtual guide shaft of the printing press, and an electric motor 04, 06of the collection cylinder 36 is controlled as a function of theelectric motor 03 of the cutting cylinder 35.

The controls of a partial cylinder 40 having a holding system with spurneedles and gripper needles, and the controls of the cutting cylinder 35are independent of each other. This means that the electric motor of thepartial cylinder 40 having a holding system with spur needles andgripper needles is controlled as a function of the electric motor 03 ofthe cutting cylinder 35. Furthermore, the two partial cylinders 01, 02,or 39, 40, or 51, 52 are controlled as a function of each other.

In another embodiment, it is also possible to control all of theelectric motors of the folding device as a function of a virtual guideshaft.

A fixing device is provided for each partial cylinder 01, 02, or 39, 40,or 51, 52, as well as for each cylinder. In order to be able to performmaintenance work, the cylinders can be fixed in place relative to theframe in a maintenance position. During the operation, i.e. during thefolding process, the two partial cylinders 01, 02, or 39, 40, or 51, 52are mechanically fixed in respect to each other.

At least one electric motor 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 17, 26 42, 45, 53has an angle of rotation sensor.

It is also possible to operate one or both electric motors 04, 06, or07, 08, or 17, 26 of the partial cylinders 01, 02, or 39, 40, or 51, 52in a manner where their angular position is controlled only during theadjustment process. After the adjustment process, the two partialcylinders 01, 02, or 39, 40, or 51, 52 are mechanically fixed in place,and at least the position control of the motor 04, 06, or 07, 08, or 17,26 of a partial cylinder 01, 02, or 39, 40, or 51, 52 is deactivated.The second electric motor 04, 06, 07, 08, 17, 26 can then drive in amoment-controlled manner, or can be disconnected.

While preferred embodiments of a folding device with a first and secondpartrial cylinder, in accordance with the present invention, have beenset forth fully and completely hereinabove, it will be apparent to oneof skill in the art that various changes in for example, the overallsizes of the cylinders, the specific structure of the function elementsand the like could be made without departing from the true spirit andscope of the present invention which is accordingly to be limited onlyby the amended claims.

1-35. (canceled)
 36. A folding device comprising: a first partialcylinder having first radial segments and a first partial cylindercircumference a second partial cylinder having second radial segmentsand a second partial cylinder circumference, said first and secondpartial cylinders constituting a body of a cylinder; means supportingsaid first and second partial cylinders coaxially and rotatably relativeto each other; a first group of function elements on said first partialcylinder circumference; a second group of function elements on saidsecond partial cylinder circumference; a separate electric motor foreach said first and second partial cylinders, each said separateelectric motor being, in its gear layout, independent of other cylindersand adapted to coaxially rotatably drive its associated partialcylinder; and a driver circuit adapted to drive said electric motors atidentical speeds and with an adjustable relative phase portion.
 37. Thefolding device of claim 36 wherein said function elements in each ofsaid first and second group of function elements are identical to eachother.
 38. The folding device of claim 36 wherein said function elementsare selected from the groups including spur needles, sheet grippers,suction strips, folding blades, folding jaws, ejectors, post grippersand cutting blades.
 39. The folding device of claim 36 wherein saidcylinder is one of a folding blade cylinder, a folding jaw cylinder anda collection cylinder.
 40. The folding device of claim 36 wherein saidcylinder has first and second longitudinal ends and further wherein saidseparate drive motors for said first and second partial cylinders areconnected to respective ones of said first and second longitudinal endsof said cylinder.
 41. The folding device of claim 36 wherein saidfolding device includes a collection cylinder with at least one of saidfirst and second partial cylinders, a folding jaw cylinder and a cuttingcylinder.
 42. The folding device of claim 41 further including separateones of said electric motors for said folding jaw cylinder and saidcollection cylinder.
 43. The folding device of claim 41 furtherincluding a separate electric motor for said cutting cylinder.
 44. Thefolding device of claim 41 further including a separate electric motorfor said collection cylinder.
 45. The folding device of claim 41 furtherincluding a separate electric motor for said folding jaw cylinder. 46.The folding device of claim 41 wherein each of said cylinders is drivenby its own one of said separate electric motors which, in its technicalgear layout, is independent of other cylinders.
 47. The folding deviceof claim 36 wherein said folding device includes a folding cylinder,said folding cylinder having said first and second partial cylinders, atleast one folding blade on one of said first and second partialcylinders and at least one folding jaw on the other of said first andsecond partial cylinders.
 48. The folding device of claim 36 furtherincluding at least one bucket wheel.
 49. The folding device of claim 48further including an elastic drive motor for said bucket wheel.
 50. Thefolding device of claim 36 further including at least one belt system.51. The folding device of claim 50 further including an electric drivemotor for said belt system.
 52. The folding device of claim 41 furtherincluding a longitudinal folding device after, in a direction of travel,of said folding jaw cylinder.
 53. The folding device of claim 52 furtherincluding an independent electric motor for said longitudinal foldingdevice.
 54. The folding device of claim 41 further including a virtualguide shaft and wherein an electric motor of said folding device iscontrolled as a function of said virtual guide shaft and wherein atleast another electric motor is controlled as a function of saidelectric motor controlled by said virtual guide shaft.
 55. The foldingdevice of claim 41 further including a holding system on one of saidfirst and second partial cylinders and means for controlling saidpartial cylinder with said holding system and said cutting cylindertogether.
 56. The folding device of claim 55 wherein said electric motorfor said partial cylinder with said holding system is controlled as afunction of said electric motor of said cutting cylinder.
 57. Thefolding device of claim 54 wherein said cutting cylinder electric motoris controlled by said virtual guide shaft.
 58. The folding device ofclaim 54 wherein said collection cylinder electric motor is controlledby said virtual guide shaft.
 59. The folding device of claim 36 whereinsaid first partial cylinder and said second partial cylinder arecontrolled dependent on each other.
 60. The folding device of claim 36wherein each said first and second partial cylinders includes a fixingdevice.
 61. The folding device of claim 41 further including a fixingdevice for each cylinder.
 62. The folding device of claim 60 furtherincluding a frame supporting said cylinders and wherein said fixingdevice is adapted to fix said cylinders in place relative to said framein a maintenance position.
 63. The folding device of claim 61 furtherincluding a frame supporting said cylinders and wherein said fixingdevice is adapted to fix said cylinders in place relative to said framein a maintenance position.
 64. The folding device of claim 36 furtherincluding means fixing said first and second partial cylinders to eachother during operation of said folding device.
 65. The folding device ofclaim 36 further including at least one angle of rotation sensor in atleast one of said electric motors.